Isle of Man Population: 86,159

Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK or of the European Union. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; the chief minister elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term; election last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in December 2016)

election results: House of Keys speaker Allan BELL elected chief minister by the Tynwald with 27 votes out of 30

Legislative branch:

bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; members composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Keys - last held on 29 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2016)

election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Vannin Party 3, independents 21

Judicial branch:

highest court(s): Isle of Man High Courts of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges called "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division) note - appeals beyond the High Court of Justice are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; judge tenure NA

Alliance for Progressive Government Liberal Vannin Party [Peter KARRAN] Manx Labor Party Manx Nationalist Party (Mec Vannin) [Bernard MOFFATT] note: most members sit as independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog) Mec Vannin (political party advocating a sovereign state and environment policies); note - has only had one member elected to the Tynwald

note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Trade is mostly with the UK. In January 2013, the Isle of Man signed a tax agreement with Guernsey and Jersey, in order to enable the islands' authorities to end tax avoidance and evasion. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.

national public radio broadcasts over 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial broadcasters operating with 1 having multiple FM stations; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters (2008)